There may only be two Top 14 fixtures this coming weekend but both are set to be absolute crackers with a Toulon side desperate to pull further away from the foot of the table taking on a La Rcohelle outfit that is looking to cement their place in the play-off berths, while this weekend’s other fixture sees recently installed log-leaders Montpellier taking on a Toulouse side looking to arrest a poor run of form.
Saturday 19 March
Toulon 53/100 | Draw 20/1 | La Rochelle 33/20 (18:15)
The first game of this weekend’s double-header will be staged at the Stade Mayol and there’s a lot riding on this one. Toulon are currently 12th on the Top 14 ladder but are only three points clear of 13th-placed Biarritz. A win here could see them move up to 10th spot, which would be extremely comforting for the mega-rich club who have spent a lot of the season in the bottom three spots on the standings.
La Rochelle are far better placed than their opponents and occupy sixth-spot on the log and should they win this one they would move all the way up to third on the standings.
In terms of last weekend’s results, Toulon head into this one having gone down 18-16 to Montpellier in a gruelling fixture. They actually had a good chance of winning the game but a late long-range penalty attempt fell short and to the right of the posts. La Rocohelle didn’t play last weekend but had a far better time of it in their last fixture as they ran Brive rampant, running out 41-15 victors.
Toulon emptied the tank in their game against Montpellier and I think they may well be fatigued headed into this one which will open the door for La Rochelle.
Sunday 20 March
Toulouse 52/100 | Draw 20/1 | Montpellier 17/10 (22:05)
There’s a titanic battle next up with reigning champions Toulouse playing host to current log-leaders Montpellier. This is another vital fixture for both sides as a win for the visitors would see them move six points clear of second-placed Bordeaux, while a win for the hosts could see them move to fifth place.
As noted in the Toulon versus La Rochelle segment, Montpellier head into this one off the back of a nerve-racking two-point victory over Toulon. They should probably have won the game by a far more comfortable margin but some poor discipline and silly mistakes ensured the game would be a tight run thing.
Toulouse weren’t involved in last weekend’s action with their last game seeing them go down to Stade 23-17 on March the seventh. They have lost five of their last six fixtures and really need to turn things around if they are to not drop out of the play-off places.
I fancy the visitors here. They have been in great touch and know how to grind out wins.
